BBSRC International Travel Award Scheme for the Biological Sciences

Document research last revised 2026-08-12.

International Collaboration Requirement

The proposed activity must involve international travel and provide an international dimension to the applicant's BBSRC-funded research. This may include developing contacts with international partners, preparing joint proposals, accessing overseas facilities, techniques or materials, or participating in European consortia-building events. (UK Research and Innovation)

Research Category

International collaboration and research networking.

Research Organisation Funding

Funding is awarded to the host/lead research organisation and supports the eligible international travel and subsistence undertaken by the research team.

Subcontractors

Not specified

Interview Stage

No interview stage is specified.

Key Requirements

Applicant must be eligible under BBSRC rules, hold a current BBSRC research grant or be appropriately employed at a BBSRC-supported institute, have at least six months remaining on the relevant BBSRC project from the start of the travel award, apply through the UKRI Funding Service, and submit at least six weeks before travel.

Important Notes

Funding is restricted to travel and subsistence and cannot be used for salary, consumables, equipment or other research costs. The PI does not have to be the person travelling. Students are not eligible. Applications must be submitted at least six weeks before travel.

Grant Name

International Travel Award Scheme for the Biological Sciences

Opportunity Type

International Research / Travel Funding

Primary Research Area

Biological sciences / BBSRC research remit

Last Updated

21 October 2025 on the individual UKRI opportunity page

Application Lead Time

Applications must be submitted at least six weeks before the intended travel date.

Applicant Requirement

The application must be made by a Principal Investigator (PI). The PI does not have to be the individual who undertakes the international travel.

Existing Funding Requirement

Applicants must have an existing BBSRC research grant or be a researcher at an eligible BBSRC-supported institute. The BBSRC grant must already have started.

Minimum Remaining Grant Period

At least six months must remain on the applicant's BBSRC project from the start of the international travel award.

Student Eligibility

Students are not eligible to apply.

Research Organisation Requirement

The lead research organisation must be eligible to receive BBSRC funding.

Eligible Countries

International travel can involve any overseas country, provided the proposed collaboration/travel provides benefit to the BBSRC-funded research.

Eligible Activities

Short-term visits to establish international contacts; preparation of proposals with international partners; visits to overseas facilities unavailable in the UK; undertaking a piece of work or accessing techniques/materials beneficial to the BBSRC research project/team; and attendance at European consortia-building events. (UK Research and Innovation)

International Partner Contribution

Applicants should identify any contributions from the international partner, including cash or in-kind contributions, where applicable.

Previous Application Platform

The scheme previously used the Joint Electronic Submissions (Je-S) system, but the current opportunity must be submitted through the UKRI Funding Service. (UK Research and Innovation)

Summary Requirement

A plain-English summary of up to 550 words, covering the context, aims and objectives, expected collaboration benefits and how the collaboration will continue after funding ends.

Purpose Section

Up to 2,500 words explaining why the travel is needed, its value to current/future UK bioscience, collaboration benefits, timing, suitability of the destination and traveller, future collaboration plans, and strategic relevance.

Resources and Cost Justification

Up to 500 words. Applicants must justify travel and subsistence costs and identify contributions from international partners. The requested ITAS costs should be entered under exceptions in the justification of resources.

Organisation Support Requirement

Up to 500 words. Applicants must provide a Statement of Support from their research organisation explaining why the proposed activity is needed and how the travel adds value to the existing BBSRC grant.

Supporting Documentation

The research organisation's Statement of Support is required. Details of any required uploads are provided within the Funding Service application.

International Partner Letters

Project partner letters of support may be required where applicable. The assessment areas specifically include Project Partners: Letters of Support.

Travel Duration Requirement

The award supports a single international visit of up to one month.

Purpose of Travel Requirement

Travel must contribute to international collaboration, proposal development, access to overseas facilities/expertise/techniques/materials, or European consortia-building relevant to BBSRC research.

Trusted Research and Innovation Requirement

Applicants may be required to demonstrate how proposed international collaborations comply with UKRI's Trusted Research and Innovation principles, including identification and proportionate management of potential risks. (UK Research and Innovation)

Application Process

The project lead signs into or creates a UKRI Funding Service account, completes the required questions, checks the application, sends it to the research office for institutional checking, and the research office submits the completed application to UKRI.

Institutional Submission

Only the lead research organisation can submit the final application to UKRI. Applicants should allow time for their institution's internal review and submission procedures.

Contact

BBSRC International: bbsrc.iru@bbsrc.ukri.org. Applicants should include ITAS in the email subject line.

Funding Service Helpdesk

support@funding-service.ukri.org / 01793 547490

Official Source

UKRI – International Travel Award Scheme for the Biological Sciences

Additional Source

Vivensa Foundation – International Travel Award Scheme for the Biological Sciences

Application deadline in source document

21 April 2027, 4:00pm UK time, according to the detailed deadline information on the current UKRI opportunity page

Official source

Read the funding authority guidance